Newcastle suffered a 2-0 loss to Manchester United at home on Wednesday night.
Alan Shearer has told BBC Radio 5 Live that he does not believes Newcastle United will be able to make any signings in the January transfer window – before hammering owner Mike Ashley again.
Shearer was in attendance as Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at home, thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford in the second half of the match.
The defeat sees Newcastle slip to within two points of the relegation zone, and it is widely believed that if they are to maintain their Premier League status, they need to bring in new players this month.
But Toon legend Shearer does not believe the club will be able to sign any new players despite being linked with a whole host of talent. He also delivered a stinging attack on Ashley, using Newcastle’s side from 20 years ago.
“No I don’t, I’d be surprised if they do anything,” Shearer said. “Rafa will be the same. I think he will feel fed up, frustrated and that his hands are tied behind his back. If they survive, it will be a very good season, and that’s the sad thing about it.
“He just wants a chance to compete, to get Newcastle in the top half of the table. I was at Anfield on Boxing Day [Newcastle lost 4-0], I looked at the forwards and midfielders – compared to the 4-3 games 20 years ago.
“Back then, they had a £5million midfielder in David Batty. Their midfielders on Boxing Day were Mo Diame and Isaac Hayden, who both cost about £5million. 20 years ago they paid £6million for Les Ferdinand. On Boxing Day, Joselu started up front.
“That tells you where Newcastle United are [under Ashley].”
Newcastle are said to be in talks with Atlanta United over a move for Miguel Almiron, while the club have been linked with the likes of Francois Kamano, Patrick Herrmann and Diego Laxalt this week.
The club are in desperate need of additions out wide, perhaps at left-back and in the middle of the park. But with Ashley keeping a tight grip on the Toon coffers, Benitez has little chance to bring in new players.
It is believed Ashley is still looking to sell the club, with Peter Kenyon’s consortium said to be leading the way to buy the Tyneside club. But that group are only willing to part with £200million, less than Ashley’s £300million valuation.
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